By David Shelton
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28 Aug, 2023
Ridgeland – From one alum to another. The Thomas Heyward Academy football program is keeping it in the family. Tony McGeary, a 1982 graduate of the school, has returned to take on duties as head football coach this fall. He replaces Nic Shuford, also an alum, who is now the head coach at Beaufort Academy. McGeary brings a championship pedigree back home. He retired in 2019 after 31 seasons as a coach in Utah. He guided Lone Peak High School in Parkland, Utah to the Class AAAAA state championship in 2011 and was 51-12 in five seasons there. He retired from coaching as the bead coach at Provo High. After retiring from coaching, McGeary returned to Ridgeland with no ideas of coaching again. “I was very comfortable in retirement but when your alma mater calls, you listen,” McGeary said. “I m happy to be here and looking forward to winning games and competing for championships.” Thomas Heyward has done plenty of winning lately. Shuford guided the program to five straight championship game appearances, winning four titles. But the roster is different this fall and with a new system, there will be a period of transition. Thomas Heyward lost their opening game, 28-21, to John Paul II on Aug. 18. “We had our chances to win, just didn’t cash in on the opportunities,” McGeary said. “We made some mistakes but they are all fixable. We have some work to do but I like this team. We’re excited to build for the future.” Senior Caleb Snyder is the starting quarterback this season. Snyder is a transfer from John Paul II and threw for 123 yards in the season opener. One major returning offensive weapon is sophomore running back Tony O’Banner, a key performer in last year’s run to the state finals. O’Banner rushed for 85 yards on 10 carries in the first game. “He’s still learning the game but we will lean on him as much as we can,” McGeary said, Senior Cutter Williams is back at receiver and will get touches in the run game as well. Junior twin brothers Nicholas and Donovan Robinson also return as receivers and will start on defense as well. Anchoring the offensive line is junior Beau Pinckney. Senior Dylan Stuckey also starts up front, along with sophomore Dodge Peeples and promising freshman prospect Dawson Drew, a 6-5, 240-pound tackle. Pinckney also leads the defense at middle linebacker and had 12 tackles in the opener. Williams starts at corner while Nicholas Robinson starts in the secondary. Donovan Robinson is a starting linebacker and sophomores Josh Gibson and Mitchell White are getting work in the secondary.